Somalia And Italy Deepen Strategic Partnership With Focus On Health Infrastructure And Blue Economy

MOGADISHU: The Prime Minister of the Federal Government of Somalia, Hamza Abdi Barre, held a productive meeting on Monday with the Italian Ambassador to Somalia, Pier Daccò Coppi, at his office in the capital. The high-level talks centered on strengthening bilateral cooperation and advancing key development initiatives funded by the Government of Italy.

During the discussions, Prime Minister Barre was briefed on the progress of three major hospital construction projects currently underway in Afmadow in Lower Juba, Xarardheere in Mudug, and Adale in Middle Shabelle. The facilities are being financed by the Italian government as part of its broader development support programme for Somalia. The Prime Minister expressed his gratitude for Italy’s longstanding and unwavering support to the Somali people and government, particularly in the areas of healthcare, infrastructure, and state-building.

The meeting took place on the same day as the High-Level Steering Committee of the “Towards Peace and Stability in Somalia” (TPSS) programme convened at Villa Hargeisa in Mogadishu, where Ambassador Coppi and the Prime Minister, alongside AICS Nairobi Director Fabio Minniti, officially approved a new intervention to rehabilitate and operationalise the Sheikh Ahmed Gabyow Hospital in the Adale district of Hirshabelle State. The area, home to approximately 100,000 people, currently has no fully functioning district hospital. Patients and pregnant women with complications are forced to travel over 180 kilometres to reach Mogadishu. The TPSS programme is funded by Italy through AICS and implemented by the Office of the Prime Minister, with an initial allocation of €3.82 million.

Prime Minister Barre praised the long-standing historical ties between Somalia and Italy, highlighting decades of cooperation in diplomacy, education, development and humanitarian assistance. He also updated the Italian envoy on the federal government’s recent achievements in security, economic recovery, and preparations for planned one-person, one-vote elections aimed at expanding democratic participation. Ambassador Coppi expressed appreciation for the warm reception and reaffirmed Italy’s commitment to supporting Somalia’s development priorities and ongoing state-building efforts.

Italy has intensified its development cooperation with Somalia in recent months. In April, Italy launched the “Quality and Equal Primary Health Services for All in Somalia” (QEPHS) initiative to strengthen key national health institutions, including De Martino National Referral Hospital, the National Blood Bank, and the National Health Professionals Council. The project aims to improve infrastructure, provide modern medical equipment, and support human resource development through targeted training. Ambassador Daccò described the initiative as “an investment in the long-term resilience and sustainability of Somalia’s health system”.

Italy has also expanded its engagement beyond the capital. In February, a historic mission to Garowe launched a strategic initiative for sustainable fishing and the development of the blue economy, implemented by UNIDO. The project aims to transform subsistence fishing into a modern, competitive business system, with over 370 members of the local fishing industry set to benefit. Italy also supported a population census of Garowe, a crucial tool for evidence-based planning and improved service delivery. Furthermore, the Italian government has been a key partner in Somalia’s health sector reforms, consistently supporting the federal government’s efforts to strengthen primary healthcare and build institutional capacity.

The meeting between Prime Minister Barre and Ambassador Coppi underscores the enduring partnership between Somalia and Italy. As Somalia continues its path toward stability and self-reliance, Italy remains one of its most steadfast international partners, supporting projects in healthcare, governance, infrastructure, and economic development. Both sides reiterated their commitment to deepening cooperation and advancing shared priorities for the benefit of the Somali people.